Cost of Living in Medford, OR

Population 85,794 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

116
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Medford's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $70,497 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail.

Geographically, Medford lies roughly 120 miles south of the nearest major metro, Eugene. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Eugene's $435,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 127
Rent 101

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Medford

The median home value in Medford is $387,000 — 27% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,321/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,497/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Oregon's top state income tax rate is 9.9% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. The climate averages highs of 68.2°F and lows of 43.6°F, with about 3.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Medford has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$387,000
27% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$402,289
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,321/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,640/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$903
1 BR
$1,003
2 BR
$1,252
3 BR
$1,754
4 BR
$2,023
Owner-occupied 55.3%
Renter-occupied 44.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,321
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,935/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.3 min
32% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.9%
Carpooled
9.4%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
2.0%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
10.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.9%
Total Sales Tax 0.0%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$70,497
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,707
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
11% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Labor Force Participation
60.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.1%
Graduate degree 10.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.1
Male median age 37.3
Female median age 40.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.2°F
Avg Low
43.6°F
Annual Precip
18.4"
Annual Snowfall
3.4"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485459657482929184705446
Low °F 333437414752595851423633
Precip" 2.721.961.811.511.340.680.240.330.481.222.613.53
Snow" 1.01.20.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
59.2%
Good air days/yr
237
Max AQI recorded
267
PM2.5 days
98
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

83%
4-Year Graduation Rate
21.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
23
Public schools
14,498
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Medford, OR?

Medford has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.

What is average rent in Medford, OR?

The median gross rent in Medford is $1,321 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Medford?

The median home value in Medford is $387,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Medford?

The median household income in Medford is $70,497 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Medford, OR?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Medford is 0.0%. The Oregon state income tax top rate is 9.9%.

Is Medford, OR affordable?

Medford is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Medford?

Medford has average high temperatures of 68.2°F and average lows of 43.6°F. Annual precipitation is 18.4". Average annual snowfall is 3.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Medford at a Glance

Population
85,794
Median Income
$70,497
Home Value
$387,000
Median Rent
$1,321/mo
Unemployment
5.4%
Avg High Temp
68.2°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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🗺️ County data for Oregon

Explore county-level cost of living data

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